Everyone in the Lancaster family gathered around Serena, fussing over her.
Serena could clearly feel their worry and concern.
And they all had a tacit understanding not to ask where she had been or what she had been doing these past few days.
They simply asked if she had been eating and sleeping well.
Serena answered each question patiently.
The warm atmosphere was thick in the air.
Suddenly, the click-clack of high heels echoed from the doorway. The steps were light and quick, accompanied by Isabella's excited, cheerful voice. "Dad, Dad, look! The evening gown I custom-ordered from the master designer Antonio has finally arrived! It's absolutely perfect! I love it so much!"
She clicked her way into the living room on her heels, practically bursting with excitement.
Behind her, Agnes followed, carefully pushing a mannequin on a display rack covered with a dust protector, a wide smile on her face as she watched Isabella.
"Dad, Mom, I'm going to try on this gown. Can you tell me if it looks okay? Brianna's coming-of-age party is tomorrow, so if anything isn't right, we need to get it altered immediately..."
Her excited voice suddenly trailed off.
She saw the happy, harmonious scene in the family dining room.
Serena was sitting in a prominent spot, the plate in front of her piled high with food.
It was obvious that the family had been personally serving her one dish after another.
Isabella's expression faltered, a momentary fracture in her porcelain mask, before the practiced, honeyed smile snapped back into place.
"Oh, Serena, you're finally back! You have no idea how much Grandpa, Dad, Mom, and Julian missed you while you were gone."
She affectionately reached for Serena's hand, her face a perfect picture of someone genuinely happy for Serena's return.
But Serena simply lifted her eyes, glanced at her coolly, and said nothing.
She subtly moved her hand away and picked up her fork to eat.
Catherine smiled and took Isabella's hand, which was now awkwardly suspended in mid-air. "Isabella,
you're just in time. Go wash yournet
hands and come eat. Serena ise home today, so I made a lot of delicious food you can try on the gown after dinner; it's not too late."
Having her friendly gesture so blatantly rejected by Serena left Isabella's face looking a little grim.
After hearing Catherine's words, she instinctively glanced at the exquisite dishes on the table.
Her expression soured even further.
Every single dish on the table was one of Serena's favorites.
Without exception.
There wasn't a single dish that she liked.
They made a whole meal specifically for Serena and then invited her to eat. Was this some kind of loyalty test, a hint that from now on, she was expected to live in Serena's shadow?
Isabella felt deeply wronged.
She watched as Serena leisurely ate, taking a piece of shrimp peeled by her brother, sipping the soup her father had ladled for her, and eating a piece of fish deboned by her grandfather...
Not to be outdone, Isabella glanced
at the mannequin Agnes was holding. She deliberately took
Catherine's hand, put on a sweeet
samile and affecting a
deficate tone; gently shook Catherine's armin a coquettish way.
"Mom, this is the gown you specifically had custom-made for me by Antonio in Milan. It took so much of your effort. Since Serena is here let me treit on for you all ow! Otherwise your cooking is so good, if feat too much and get a little tummy, the dress won't look as good..."
She pointedly emphasized the words "specifically," "custom-made for me," and "so much effort."
There was a clear, yet subtle, note of showing off in her tone.